Five tips for being a great PR consultant?
Posted Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at 9:25pm in Blogging, PR General |
UPDATED
Yesterday I received an email from an enterprising PR student from Leeds Met. The emailer (who shall remain nameless since I haven’t had her approval to make public this email) asked me my thoughts on what my top five tips are for being a good PR consultant. My comments along with others will be part of an up and coming article in student PR magazine, Behind the Spin.
Always happy to receive a bit of kudos. It’s good for the ego you know. But at the same time realising my limited experience in the field I thought it would be best to throw it out to the blogosphere. Constantin says he’s currently tracking 555 PR feeds so this kind of question is made for the blogosphere. So the more views and opinions received the better her article will be. Here are my five:
1. You should ideally have an interest in people.
Working in consultancy will put you in contact with a lot of new people. It could be clients, potential clients, suppliers or colleagues. Having an interest in people and enjoying meeting people generally will help you develop good relationships.
2. Stay on top of the news agenda.
There’s nothing better than being the font of all news knowledge to both clients and colleagues. Stay ahead.
3. PR yourself
If you can’t do it for yourself then how are you expected to do it for others?
4. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes
* The person who doesn’t make mistakes is unlikely to make anything. (Paul Arden)
* I haven’t failed, I’ve had a hundred ideas that didn’t work. (Benjamin Franklin)
* Of the 200 light bulbs that didn’t work, every failure told me something that I was able to incorporate into the next attempt. (Thomas Edison)
* If we don’t get lost, we’ll never find a new route. (Joan Littlewood)
5. Take each day as it comes
You’ll have your good days and bad days. You’ll have days when you can knock out a thousands words of copy in an instant, you’ll have days when you can’t string a paragraph together. There will be times when in brainstorms when you’re throwing more ideas around than Einstein, there will be times when your only constructive contribution is the 3D duck on your notepad.
Take each day (and situation) as it comes and try to learn something every time.
Okay, in the spirit of true openness, transparency and wisdom of the crowds I’m opening this up. I’ve never been a huge supporter of tagging other bloggers except this time around. So Erin, Alex, Paull, Chris, Owen (I know you’re still studying but value your opinion), Piaras and Jeffrey… what’s your thoughts? Anything to add? Anyone else?
It would be good to take the global perspective on this IMHO…
UPDATE
Aussie PR blogger, Paull Young says:
* Teamwork
* Get in the know
* Learn continually
* Focus on Ethics
* Find your passion & follow it
Chris Clarke says: “To add to ‘PR Yourself’, or perhaps to expand on it, I would suggest you network as much as possible. Meet people, go to the conferences, participate in the blogosphere, get your name out there. In short, like you said: “PR Yourself”!”
Simon Wakeman says: “The only tip I’d add to the collected thoughts so far would be to have fun! I think I produce my best results when I’m enjoying my work - it makes me try that little bit harder to deliver the best results I can. For that reason I’m always careful what projects I take on. I make sure that whatever I do interests and challenges me. There’s always going to be more and less fun projects to work on, but it’s about making the overall balance fun.”
* Build your knowledge of online social media
(including setting up a bloglines account and feeding into colleagues who haven’t yet got this new world)
* Network
360 degrees, upwards/downwards/sideways inside and outside your organisations (the PR “black book” of contacts is still vital)
* Become an expert
identify an area where you can shine and be recognised (no matter your age or experience) as the master
* Add value
be useful to those around you, and identify ways you can prove you are adding value (key for the CV rather than boring “responsibilities”
* Value your own reputation
manage what others say about you when you’re not around - you are your most important client and need to build “brand-me”
Sherrilynne Starkie says: “Surely being a good writer must make the top five. For me it’s number one.”
My Australian colleague, Luke Schepen says: “I’m going to bring one to the table. ‘Position yourself as a trusted advisor’. Whether you are working in an in house role or in a consultancy, a PR pro must position themselves as a trusted advisor in the organisation, and in most cases to the CEO. People should know they can come to you to seek counsel and walk away with the best advice you can give them.
technorati tags: behind+the+spin, consultancy, PR+consultancy, skills
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24 Comments
What is the essential Public Relations skills set? « Heather Yaxley on public relations, motoring, education and more
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at 11:18am
[...] PR Blogger is challenging the public relations blogosphere to discuss the skills required to be a top PR consultant (not sure if that excludes in-house practice). His 5 suggestions are: to have an interest in people, stay on top of the news agenda, PR yourself, don’t be afraid of making mistakes and to take each day as it comes. [...]
How to be a great PR consultant | Simon Wakeman - Marketing, public relations and internet professional
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at 1:52pm
[...] Stephen Davies has kicked off a discussion about what it takes to become a great PR consultant. He’s published five tips for starters: 1. You should ideally have an interest in people. 2. Stay on top of the news agenda. 3. PR yourself 4. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes 5. Take each day as it comes [...]
Chris Clarke
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at 3:27pm
Well, I wouldn’t call myself an “expert” just yet, but thanks Stephen
To add to “PR Yourself”, or perhaps to expand on it, I would suggest you network as much as possible. Meet people, go to the conferences, participate in the blogosphere, get your name out there. In short, like you said: “PR Yourself”!
Derek Hodge
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at 9:50pm
Since when did PR become a verb?
ivana
Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 8:03am
I think one of the most important things for every beginner is to know that there is no such thing as a stupid idea. You can’t imagine how many geniuses are hidden out there, but they are affraid to think loud. Just take the risk to be yourself
Stephen
Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 8:42am
Derek: Since now.
Change ‘PR’ to ‘promote’ - different word same message. Nice academic contribution from Stirling though…
Ivana: Thanks, I agree. There’s a great book by Paul Arden which incorporates this kind of thinking. It takes about 20 minutes to read. Definitely recommended.
Young PR » Blog Archive » 5 Tips for Being a Great PR Consultant
Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 10:13am
[...] One of my favourite Englishman (don’t get too excited Stephen – it’s one of those ‘best of a bad bunch’ deals ) asks for five tips on being a great PR consultant. [...]
Kyle
Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 3:27pm
My addition would be ‘conviction’:
–Push back on people who want you to do PR for PR sake;
–say no to unethical practices that companies may want to undertake;
–don’t be afraid to walk away from a job;
Love the site and the comments, KFF
Owen Lystrup
Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 10:33pm
I definitely wouldn’t call myself any kind of expert.
But I’ll definitely have to give this some thought. Your pieces of advice are astute, as always.
Thanks, Stephen.
Strive Notes » November 10th: this week’s top 5
Friday, November 10, 2006 at 5:49pm
[...] 2. Stephen Davies is throwing out his ideas on being a good PR consultant for blogosphere comment. He says, be good with people, be on top of the what’s going on the in the media, don’t be afraid to make a mistake, promote yourself and be sure to take each day as it comes. I’m not so sure I can agree with this. Surely being a good writer must make the top five. For me it’s number one. [...]
PR Talkback » Blog Archive » The reviews are in, and so are the tips
Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 2:19am
[...] PR Blogger, and fellow Edelman colleague, Stephen Davies has put out the request for 5 tips for being a great PR consultant. [...]
Ed Lee
Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 6:23pm
definitely don’t take yourself too seriously. it’s PR, not ER.
Ed
Stephen
Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 6:57pm
Couldn’t agree more, Ed. All the ‘dahling’ crap I can’t abide.
Ed Lee
Monday, November 13, 2006 at 5:47pm
that must be especially prevalent in your Picadily office - if memory of an interview there serves me correctly!
Ed
Stephen
Monday, November 13, 2006 at 5:58pm
I can honestly say not one person in the Edelman London office has called me ‘dahling’. Nor have I heard it mentioned in conversation to clients, colleagues, suppliers etc etc.
I think that’s more consumer/celebrity/fashion PR. But I’m not stereotyping!
Five tips for becoming a great PR consultant at Piaras Kelly PR - Irish Public Relations
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 1:44pm
[...] Stephen Davies recently posted ‘Five Tips for being a great PR consultant’ and asked me what my five tips would be. I think the title of the post doesn’t necessarily do it justice, I think 5 tips for becoming a great PR consultant would be more suitable. Here’s my 2 cents: [...]
Into PR » 5 Tips for Being a Great PR Consultant
Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 9:04am
[...] He listed some great advice for being a good consultant. [...]
Todd And
Monday, November 27, 2006 at 4:15am
Good stuff, Stephen. I just recently stumbled upon your blog and it became an instant favorite. I love the look and feel. The content is great too. Keep up the terrific work!
Cheers,
Todd
Stephen
Monday, November 27, 2006 at 4:02pm
Hey Todd,
Thanks a lot. Right back at you.
Leah
Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at 11:22am
Thats all great but no one seems to have mentioned the one thing I have built my business on - CREATIVITY! PR is one of the most creative industries if you have got a creative streak you haven’t got anything!
alex
Thursday, April 12, 2007 at 11:37pm
hi nice site.
Steve Moen
Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 10:43pm
Dear Sir,
We are launching a new entertainment product and are looking for an aggressive PR consultant to orchestrate sensational if not scandalous PR.
Our product involves celebrities and is unique in that it would greatly benefit from media hype that’s not necessarily positive such as the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction or the Rosie O’Donnel, Donald Trump feud.
I’d like to locate the right person or firm prior to divulging specifics about the project.
If you can be of help please let me know.
Steve Moen
EEL
Leah
Friday, August 10, 2007 at 2:33pm
Hi Stephen - I work as a PR consultant in the world of celebrity and entertainment. Potentially this sounds up my street. Please feel free to get in touch leah@leahgrayson.co.uk
Best Wishes
Leah Grayson - Peartree Publicity
Peter Berry
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 1:09pm
How about having an understanding of history? If you don’t know where ideas, issues, events fit into a culture, where they come from, it’s going to be very difficult to express them convincingly.